George Washington University Athletics
Pone to Represent Latvia at World University Games
4/29/2019 10:08:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Swimming standout to compete this summer in Napoli, Italy
WASHINGTON - George Washington's Emils Pone has been selected to represent his native Latvia at this summer's World University Games.
Pone earned an invitation to the biennial international competition after claiming six gold medals in a breakout performance at the 2019 Atlantic 10 Swimming & Diving Championships to help the Colonials earn a third straight team title. The junior from Jurmala, Latvia, will head to Napoli, Italy, from July 3-14 to represent his homeland alongside some of the world's top college-age swimmers at Piscina Felice Scandone.
"It's an amazing opportunity to represent your country and your university at the same time," Pone said. "Coming to swim at GW, one of my goals was to make the national team again, and to do that and get a chance to compete in a meet like this, it's really exciting for me."
Pone has shined on the national stage back home, most recently claiming the 400-meter individual medley last summer at the Latvian Open. He's previously represented the country internationally at the European Junior Championships (2014) and European Youth Olympic Festival (2013).
A three-time All A-10 First Team honoree, Pone showcased his continued progress with the Colonials earlier this year with a tremendous postseason run.
Pone won individual gold in the 400-yard individual medley (A-10 record 3:47.52), 100-yard backstroke (:47.27) and 200-yard backstroke (1:43.95), and he also had a hand in wins in the 200-yard medley, 400-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays, all in A-10 record time.
At the season-closing CSCAA National Invitational Championship, Pone took down another A-10 mark, finishing the 200-yard individual medley in 1:45.66 to earn bronze. He added silver in the 200 back (1:45.75) and placed fifth in the 400 IM (3:51.75) facing a talented national field.
"We were very excited to learn that Emils has been selected to swim at this summer's World University Games," GW head coach Brian Thomas said. "In the past, every world-class athlete that I've worked with has had some sort of "Aha!" moment when they realize that they're capable of reaching a little higher and their goals start to adjust. It's the best combination of opportunity, confidence and some fearlessness - the moment when a dream turns into something achievable.
"Looking toward 2020, I think that this opportunity has the potential to be a stepping stone for Emils as he represents Latvia and GW on the international stage. Beyond that, Emils is an awesome representative of what we want our student-athletes to be in and out of the water, so it's always fulfilling when the best people end up having the success that they deserve."
Pone earned an invitation to the biennial international competition after claiming six gold medals in a breakout performance at the 2019 Atlantic 10 Swimming & Diving Championships to help the Colonials earn a third straight team title. The junior from Jurmala, Latvia, will head to Napoli, Italy, from July 3-14 to represent his homeland alongside some of the world's top college-age swimmers at Piscina Felice Scandone.
"It's an amazing opportunity to represent your country and your university at the same time," Pone said. "Coming to swim at GW, one of my goals was to make the national team again, and to do that and get a chance to compete in a meet like this, it's really exciting for me."
Pone has shined on the national stage back home, most recently claiming the 400-meter individual medley last summer at the Latvian Open. He's previously represented the country internationally at the European Junior Championships (2014) and European Youth Olympic Festival (2013).
A three-time All A-10 First Team honoree, Pone showcased his continued progress with the Colonials earlier this year with a tremendous postseason run.
Pone won individual gold in the 400-yard individual medley (A-10 record 3:47.52), 100-yard backstroke (:47.27) and 200-yard backstroke (1:43.95), and he also had a hand in wins in the 200-yard medley, 400-yard medley and 800-yard freestyle relays, all in A-10 record time.
At the season-closing CSCAA National Invitational Championship, Pone took down another A-10 mark, finishing the 200-yard individual medley in 1:45.66 to earn bronze. He added silver in the 200 back (1:45.75) and placed fifth in the 400 IM (3:51.75) facing a talented national field.
"We were very excited to learn that Emils has been selected to swim at this summer's World University Games," GW head coach Brian Thomas said. "In the past, every world-class athlete that I've worked with has had some sort of "Aha!" moment when they realize that they're capable of reaching a little higher and their goals start to adjust. It's the best combination of opportunity, confidence and some fearlessness - the moment when a dream turns into something achievable.
"Looking toward 2020, I think that this opportunity has the potential to be a stepping stone for Emils as he represents Latvia and GW on the international stage. Beyond that, Emils is an awesome representative of what we want our student-athletes to be in and out of the water, so it's always fulfilling when the best people end up having the success that they deserve."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
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